UPA Conference in Kinshasa: Moroccan Said Chakir Elected Regional Representative for North Africa
Said Chakir Elected as Regional Representative for North Africa at the African Parliamentary Union
Said Chakir, a member of the Chamber of Advisors, was unanimously elected as the Regional Representative of the African Parliamentary Union (APU) for North Africa on Saturday in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, during the 47th Conference of the Union from the 18th to the 22nd of this month.
Another significant decision made at this Conference was the appointment of Moroccan parliamentarians Said Chakir, Mohamed Horma Al Makhloul, Hatim Ben Rkia, and Mrs. Aouicha Zilfi as members of the Executive Committee of the APU.
During the same session, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde Kyenge, President of the Senate of the DRC, was elected as the Chair of the Executive Committee tasked with preparing the agenda for the 48th APU Conference set for 2026, in accordance with the Union’s internal regulations and charter.
African parliamentarians also resolved that the next APU sessions will take place between October and November 2026, while the APU General Secretariat remains open to receive applications from member countries wishing to host the 48th Conference.
"The date and location of these sessions will be jointly determined by the selected host country and the APU General Secretariat," it was noted.
In light of the concerning security situation in the DRC, Mali, and Sudan, attending African parliamentarians strongly condemned human rights violations in these countries and reiterated the APU’s steadfast support for them.
While praising the various peace agreements in the DRC, they called on international partners to provide support for restoring peace in these three nations.
Meanwhile, female parliamentarians within the APU denounced the human rights violations and cruel treatment inflicted upon women and children by rebel movements in the DRC, Sudan, and Mali, expressing their support for victims of violence and vandalism.
For their part, the African Union Youth urged APU leaders to adopt a mechanism that not only unifies young Africans but also better supports and mentors them, given that this demographic remains the majority across the continent.
The Moroccan parliamentary delegation at this Conference was led by Mr. Rachid Talbi Alami, President of the House of Representatives, and included members of the national section of the Moroccan Parliament within the APU, such as House members Hatim Ben Rkia, Said Bekri, Nadia Bouzendoufa (Secretary of the House of Representatives), Driss Chebchali, Madiha Khayer, Abdelilah Amhadi, and Mrs. Aouicha Zilfi.
It also included Chamber of Advisors members Said Chakir and Mohamed Horma El Makhloul.
Among the key topics on the agenda of this Conference were major themes focused on "strengthening the national sovereignty of African countries for sustainable development," as well as "the challenges of energy transition and the development of renewable energy in Africa."
Established in Abidjan on February 13, 1976, the African Parliamentary Union (APU), with its headquarters there, is an organization that brings together the national parliaments of the African continent, working to promote dialogue and interparliamentary cooperation to address the major challenges facing Africa.
